Image of person standing in hooded robe, with mask across their face, in clothing reminiscent of traditional Armenian dress

The Stitching Hour—Weaving by Levon Kafafian

The Stitching Hour—Weaving is a performance piece by Levon Kafafian.

Levon Kafafian is a multidisciplinary weaver, writer, poet, and performance artist based in Detroit, Michigan.  They are the co-founder of the Fringe Society, an experimental art collective that’s working to create an interdisciplinary artistic environment for marginalized communities to thrive.

They’ve created 2 collections of handwoven wearable sci-fi fantasy pieces, the Summoner and the Vanagad Spirit, for Shaded Knot that are available for purchase.

For a full offering of their abilities and works, visit their website and Instagram.

My work is a dance between the cosmic cycles of Instagram and immigration, what comes to life in aimless doodles scribbled while on the phone with friends overseas, in the octave of transformation. I value the roots of my tradition but am not bound by figments of an idealized past. There is no home to return to; and it does not sadden me for the journey elsewhere is more interesting.

Section from Kafafian’s Artist Statement

Video and images of Kafafian's art and a performance piece titled The Stitching Hour—Weaving.

When the Forest Sheds its Skin, Landscape series, 2014, cotton and dye.
When the Forest Sheds its Skin, Landscape series, 2014, cotton and dye.
Nightweaving, Winter/Spring 2016, performance of weaving in active nightclub spaces, Detroit, Michigan.
Nightweaving, Winter/Spring 2016, performance of weaving in active nightclub spaces, Detroit, Michigan.
Breastplate, That Which Nourishes, Protects series, 2013, wood-fired ceramic glazed with Detroit green clay.
Breastplate, That Which Nourishes, Protects series, 2013, wood-fired ceramic glazed with Detroit green clay.